Stepping Up to the Plate: Samsung’s Lee Chang-yong and Kim Seong-yong Bring American Baseball Dreams Back to Korea
Samsung Lions’ Lee Chang-yong and Kim Sung-kyung Return from MLB Draft League
Lee Chang-yong and Kim Sung-kyung, promising players of the Samsung Lions, have returned to Korea after completing their schedules in the Major League Baseball (MLB) draft league. Lee Chang-yong leads the team in home runs and RBIs with 8 home runs and 38 RBIs.
As the 2024 professional baseball season draws to a close, the Samsung Lions sent four players, including Lee Chang-yong, Kim Sung-kyung, and a training coach, to the MLB Draft League for 54 nights and 55 days from July 15. This league is a program run by MLB from 2021 to improve the skills of young players and discover players. The overall level is known to be similar to the minor league Single-A.
Lee Chang-yong played in 38 league games, recording a batting average of 0.280 (40 hits in 143 at-bats), 8 home runs, and 38 RBIs. He is evaluated to have shown an impressive performance, ranking first in home runs and RBIs on the team. Kim Sung-kyung played in 11 games, recording 11⅓ innings, 13 strikeouts, 11 walks, and 9 runs. He focused on learning various breaking balls.
Lee Chang-yong said, “The American players’ defensive fundamentals were very solid. That’s what I wanted to learn the most. As the matches went on, my defensive skills improved and I gained a lot of confidence.” He added, ”I actively approached my teammates and coaches, and I learned a lot about hitting. I will repay them with good results in Korea as well since they gave me a good opportunity.”
Kim Sung-kyung said, “I wondered if I would have a chance to play baseball in the United States, but I had a good experience thanks to the support of the team.” She added, “It was very helpful, such as learning various pitches and grips locally. My record wasn’t that good, but I will use this experience to show a better side of myself in Korea.”
Samsung plans to continue to support the growth of promising players by utilizing various opportunities such as this league. Samsung manager Park Jin-man said, “Lee Chang-yong is one of the few right-handed long-distance hitters on the team. I’m glad he showed a good performance in the United States,” and “I will keep an eye on him and utilize him when necessary.”